Answer: (B)
Statement 1 is correct: The members of the Public Accounts Committee are elected by Parliament from amongst its members for a term of not exceeding one year.
Statement 2 is correct: The CAG assists the PAC in its examination of accounts. By attending its meetings and scrutinizing the reports, the CAG acts as a guide, friend, and philosopher to the Committee.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The recommendations of the PAC are advisory, not binding, in nature. It highlights financial irregularities and lapses, and the government is expected to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) explaining the steps taken or proposed, but the committee's findings do not carry statutory or binding executive force.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The members of the Public Accounts Committee are elected by Parliament from amongst its members for a term of not exceeding one year.
Statement 2 is correct: The CAG assists the PAC in its examination of accounts. By attending its meetings and scrutinizing the reports, the CAG acts as a guide, friend, and philosopher to the Committee.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The recommendations of the PAC are advisory, not binding, in nature. It highlights financial irregularities and lapses, and the government is expected to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) explaining the steps taken or proposed, but the committee's findings do not carry statutory or binding executive force.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
With reference to the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in India, consider the following statements:
1. The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice following the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
2. The scheme aims to ensure the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases relating to offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
3. The Central share of financial assistance for the scheme is drawn from the dedicated, non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund.
1. The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Law and Justice following the directions of the Supreme Court of India.
2. The scheme aims to ensure the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases relating to offences under the POCSO Act, 2012.
3. The Central share of financial assistance for the scheme is drawn from the dedicated, non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) was launched in October 2019 by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, following the directions of the Supreme Court of India in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019.
Statement 2 is correct: FTSCs aim to ensure the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases relating to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The scheme also provides for exclusive POCSO Courts (ePOCSO Courts).
Statement 3 is correct: The Central Government's share of financial assistance is drawn from the dedicated, non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund, which was established to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.
Hence, all three statements are correct.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishing Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) was launched in October 2019 by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, following the directions of the Supreme Court of India in Suo Motu Writ (Criminal) No. 1/2019.
Statement 2 is correct: FTSCs aim to ensure the time-bound trial and disposal of pending cases relating to rape and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The scheme also provides for exclusive POCSO Courts (ePOCSO Courts).
Statement 3 is correct: The Central Government's share of financial assistance is drawn from the dedicated, non-lapsable Nirbhaya Fund, which was established to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.
Hence, all three statements are correct.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
With reference to the Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus), consider the following statements:
1. It is an endangered amphibian species endemic exclusively to the wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
2. Unlike most toads, it is arboreal in nature and is commonly found on trees and in tree cavities.
3. It is primarily a ground-dwelling species found in fast-flowing rivers throughout the year.
1. It is an endangered amphibian species endemic exclusively to the wet evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.
2. Unlike most toads, it is arboreal in nature and is commonly found on trees and in tree cavities.
3. It is primarily a ground-dwelling species found in fast-flowing rivers throughout the year.
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Answer: (A)
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus) is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. However, its latest IUCN Red List assessment (2020 assessment, published in 2023) classifies it as Least Concern (LC), not Endangered. Further, it occurs in evergreen to moist deciduous forests and is not restricted exclusively to wet evergreen forests.
Statement 2 is correct: The Malabar Tree Toad has an arboreal habit, unlike most ground-dwelling toads. It is commonly found on trees and in tree cavities, particularly along forest streams.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The species is not primarily ground-dwelling. It is largely arboreal and uses streamside habitats for reproduction. Its breeding activity is associated with the monsoon, rather than remaining in fast-flowing rivers throughout the year.
Hence, statements 1 and 3 only are incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus) is endemic to the Western Ghats of India. However, its latest IUCN Red List assessment (2020 assessment, published in 2023) classifies it as Least Concern (LC), not Endangered. Further, it occurs in evergreen to moist deciduous forests and is not restricted exclusively to wet evergreen forests.
Statement 2 is correct: The Malabar Tree Toad has an arboreal habit, unlike most ground-dwelling toads. It is commonly found on trees and in tree cavities, particularly along forest streams.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The species is not primarily ground-dwelling. It is largely arboreal and uses streamside habitats for reproduction. Its breeding activity is associated with the monsoon, rather than remaining in fast-flowing rivers throughout the year.
Hence, statements 1 and 3 only are incorrect.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer
With reference to the Pralay missile, consider the following statements:
1. It is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile.
2. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory.
3. It is powered by a liquid-fuel propulsion system.
4. It is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads.
1. It is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface missile.
2. It follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory.
3. It is powered by a liquid-fuel propulsion system.
4. It is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: Pralay is a short-range, surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile developed indigenously by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Statement 2 is correct: It employs a quasi-ballistic trajectory, meaning it flies at a lower altitude than traditional ballistic missiles and possesses mid-flight maneuverability to evade enemy air defense interceptors.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor (using a two-stage solid rocket system), not a liquid-fuel propulsion system. Solid fuel allows for quick launch readiness and easier transport.
Statement 4 is correct: It is designed to carry multiple types of conventional warheads, allowing it to adapt to various tactical mission profiles such as destroying hardened bunkers or communication hubs.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: Pralay is a short-range, surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile developed indigenously by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Statement 2 is correct: It employs a quasi-ballistic trajectory, meaning it flies at a lower altitude than traditional ballistic missiles and possesses mid-flight maneuverability to evade enemy air defense interceptors.
Statement 3 is incorrect: It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor (using a two-stage solid rocket system), not a liquid-fuel propulsion system. Solid fuel allows for quick launch readiness and easier transport.
Statement 4 is correct: It is designed to carry multiple types of conventional warheads, allowing it to adapt to various tactical mission profiles such as destroying hardened bunkers or communication hubs.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Dehing Patkai is popularly known as the “Amazon of the East” due to its rich rainforest ecosystem.
Important for UPSC: Environment & Ecology → National Parks → Assam → Tropical Evergreen Forests → Elephant Reserves → Hoolock Gibbon → White-winged Wood Duck.
Important for UPSC: Environment & Ecology → National Parks → Assam → Tropical Evergreen Forests → Elephant Reserves → Hoolock Gibbon → White-winged Wood Duck.
Consider the following statements regarding the UNESCO Memory of the World (MoW) Programme:
1. Unlike UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which focus on natural and cultural monuments, the MoW Programme specifically targets documentary heritage housed in libraries, archives, and museums.
2. The MoW Register is updated every year to add new documentary heritage of universal value.
1. Unlike UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which focus on natural and cultural monuments, the MoW Programme specifically targets documentary heritage housed in libraries, archives, and museums.
2. The MoW Register is updated every year to add new documentary heritage of universal value.
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Answer: (B)
The UNESCO World Heritage program focuses on physical sites, monuments, and natural locations, whereas the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme was created in 1992 specifically to safeguard, preserve, and provide access to global documentary heritage (such as manuscripts, books, audio-visual materials, and archival documents) stored in libraries, archives, and museums. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Memory of the World International Register is updated biennially (every two years) during the meetings of the International Advisory Committee (IAC), not every year. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
The UNESCO World Heritage program focuses on physical sites, monuments, and natural locations, whereas the Memory of the World (MoW) Programme was created in 1992 specifically to safeguard, preserve, and provide access to global documentary heritage (such as manuscripts, books, audio-visual materials, and archival documents) stored in libraries, archives, and museums. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Memory of the World International Register is updated biennially (every two years) during the meetings of the International Advisory Committee (IAC), not every year. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
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Answer: (C)
A global benchmarking framework that measures the multidimensional innovation capabilities and performance of economies by assessing innovation inputs and outputs.
It also identifies and maps the world's top 100 Science and Technology (S&T) clusters, helping policymakers evaluate innovation strengths, weaknesses and gaps.
First Published: 2007 (19th annual edition in 2026).
Released by: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, in partnership with the Portulans Institute and other international corporate and academic collaborators.
A global benchmarking framework that measures the multidimensional innovation capabilities and performance of economies by assessing innovation inputs and outputs.
It also identifies and maps the world's top 100 Science and Technology (S&T) clusters, helping policymakers evaluate innovation strengths, weaknesses and gaps.
First Published: 2007 (19th annual edition in 2026).
Released by: The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialised agency of the United Nations, in partnership with the Portulans Institute and other international corporate and academic collaborators.
Consider the following statements regarding Viability Gap Funding (VGF) in India:
1. It acts as a one-time capital grant to bridge the financial deficit of economically essential infrastructure projects.
2. Central scheme guidelines permit total government grant support up to 40% of the project cost.
3. VGF support has been extended to grid-scale battery energy storage systems.
1. It acts as a one-time capital grant to bridge the financial deficit of economically essential infrastructure projects.
2. Central scheme guidelines permit total government grant support up to 40% of the project cost.
3. VGF support has been extended to grid-scale battery energy storage systems.
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Answer: (D)
Statement 1 is correct: VGF is a targeted financial grant disbursed during the construction phase to bridge the revenue shortfall of socio-economically vital infrastructure projects, enabling private sector participation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Statement 2 is correct: Under the Ministry of Finance guidelines, the Central Government provides up to 20% of the total project cost, with the sponsoring ministry, state government, or statutory body authorized to contribute up to an additional 20%, capping total grant assistance at 40%.
Statement 3 is correct: The Union Cabinet approved the VGF scheme specifically targeting grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to reduce the high initial capital cost of storage infrastructure and bring down the Levelized Cost of Storage.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.
Statement 1 is correct: VGF is a targeted financial grant disbursed during the construction phase to bridge the revenue shortfall of socio-economically vital infrastructure projects, enabling private sector participation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Statement 2 is correct: Under the Ministry of Finance guidelines, the Central Government provides up to 20% of the total project cost, with the sponsoring ministry, state government, or statutory body authorized to contribute up to an additional 20%, capping total grant assistance at 40%.
Statement 3 is correct: The Union Cabinet approved the VGF scheme specifically targeting grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to reduce the high initial capital cost of storage infrastructure and bring down the Levelized Cost of Storage.
Therefore, option D is the correct answer.